Top apprentice from Northampton urges others to sign up in national awareness week

Jordan Gudgin, 25, works in business administration at Veolia at the company's Northampton branch and was picked as the firm's apprentice of the year for 2016/17.

She said she was honoured to receive the award and it had allowed her to grow professionally and personally.

"My biggest achievement has to be helping turn one of Veolia’s Commercial depots into a thriving transport hub for the region," she said.

"From the opportunity to move between different departments and various Veolia sites up and down the country. I have really experienced a lot – this diversity is something I’d recommend to anyone looking into an apprenticeship. What's next? I have just begun my Level 4 qualification through the Veolia Campus and I can’t wait to see what my future within Veolia holds.”

Estelle Brachlianoff, senior executive vice-president Veolia UK & Ireland, said apprentices were gaining the correct skills, supporting both personal and business growth.

“The latest figures show that apprentices nationwide are the most satisfied with the relevance of their training – above all other learning groups – and nearly all of the UK’s apprentices feel they’ve acquired new skills, as a direct result of their apprenticeship. This is most likely why apprenticeship participation now stands at a record level and I urge both businesses and young people to keep up this brilliant work," she added.